| Author |
Message |
    
Usoff
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 05:01 pm: | 
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I was wondering what ppl are usuing as replacements for their stock batteries. I don't run a winch and only has 2 extra hella driving lights.
thanks |
94Rover
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 05:27 pm: |
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Interstate-
94Rover |
gp (Garrett)
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 05:27 pm: |
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hell i just went to sams and got a 900 CCA Champion for like $60 and they slapped it in while i was shopping for 10 lb jars of mayo!! |
Paul D. Morgan (V22guy)
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 06:31 pm: |
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Pep Boys took care of me with the 900 CCA Energizer. |
RJ Clayton (Tozovr)
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 06:33 pm: |
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Optima with some kick-ass terminals
The EE boys have them for sale |
Paul D. Morgan (V22guy)
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 06:48 pm: |
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RJ,
I think that some day when I become a Man, I am going to go the Optima route. However, I am going to build an Aluminium tray to hold two of those. The goal being to have one set up for a winch and the Hellas and the other set up for the Pig itself.
Just curious, where did you get those terminal clamps?
Paul |
Michael Noe (Noee)
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 07:10 pm: |
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Funny how these things come up just at the right time....I'm going dual Optima right now, one deep cycle for winch/lights/engel, the other regular starting battery for just the normal truck stuff. But....I need some good quality terminals, can't find any locally... |
RJ Clayton (Tozovr)
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 10:29 pm: |
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Guys, I got my terminals from a friend at Circut City...
you can also get them here... Buy online
They're Monster Cable terminals...those audio freaks know how to build stuff. They're brass with gold connections and have plastic covers to keep the poo out Terminals with covers
In the works though are new cables...bigger is better!!!!!!
RJ |
Mark Albrecht (Markalbrecht)
| | Posted on Thursday, February 06, 2003 - 05:38 pm: |
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You could also try military style low profile terminals. See http://www.premierpowerwelder.com/terminals/terminals.html |
Tom Rowe
| | Posted on Friday, February 07, 2003 - 10:29 am: |
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AMP also makes "real" terminals. For all sizes of cable too. The most likely source of them would be a heavy/severe duty truck shop. I've used them for years and have been well pleased with them. They have most sizes in straight, right and left flag and double flag. Of course the pos and negative terminals are sized differently to actually match the battery posts. |
RJ Clayton (Tozovr)
| | Posted on Friday, February 07, 2003 - 03:52 pm: |
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You can usually find decent terminals at places like boat U.S. And US Marine...
Just stay away from lead...not that it's bad, but it isn't as nice as the brass/gold...
RJ |
Keith Kreutzer (Revor)
| | Posted on Friday, February 07, 2003 - 04:47 pm: |
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Optima Yellow tops for me..
Garrett don't you know that that much Mayo isn't good for you? |
Brian Dickens (Bri)
| | Posted on Friday, February 07, 2003 - 06:19 pm: |
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yellow top optima for now, likely get one red top when I go dual. |
Will Roeder (Will_Roeder)
| | Posted on Friday, February 07, 2003 - 07:06 pm: |
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I have dual Optima yellow tops, and love it. One set up for the truck itself, and one for lights, winch, air compressor, etc.....
my .02 |
Jack Quinlan (Jsq)
| | Posted on Friday, February 07, 2003 - 07:42 pm: |
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dual optima yellows here.
just wired in parallel. so much juice it don't matter. |
RJ Clayton (Tozovr)
| | Posted on Friday, February 07, 2003 - 08:08 pm: |
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I know that the Yellow Tops are better in certain situations, but it's important that some of the guys here don't get blinded by the "more $$ = Better"
it's important to pick the right battery for the job. Optima has a great site and will give you a good idea if you really need the deep cycle.
Most of the guys out there with winches and lights are certainly in need of the deep cycle setup. But I've seen too many schleps with one set of hellas and a winch that is rarely used run dual Yellow tops. That is not good for the battery...the deep cycle batteries are made to be completely drained...these guys would be better served with a red top.
Check out the site before you drop the $$ on what may be the wrong battery
Optimas usage description
RJ |
Tom Rowe
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 07:57 am: |
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FWIW I got an Exide Orbital deep cycle for my winch for two reasons. It was cheaper, closeout at Pep Boys, and also Bill Burke's article stating that Optima told him not to use a battery isolator with Optima batteries. I called Exide and spent some time talking with an engineer there about that issue. According to Exide there is no problem using an isolator with their spiral cell batteries, even in conjunction with a regular plate type battery.
When my starter battery eventually dies, I'll replace it with a standard Exide Orbital. |
Paul D. Morgan (V22guy)
advanced member
Username: V22guy
Post Number: 1193
Registered: 02-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 08:06 am: |
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Tom,
That's good to know, I am writing this down for my project planning. |
Ron Brown (Ron)
Member
Username: Ron
Post Number: 48
Registered: 04-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 10:00 am: |
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Paul,
Batteries are covered under factory warranty. If yours dies before 50k you get a shinny new interstate.
Ron |
Perrone Ford (Perroneford)
New Member
Username: Perroneford
Post Number: 4
Registered: 02-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 10:13 am: |
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My Exide Orbital has served me very well. I think I am going Hawker 1200s the next time though.
Guinness for Strength...
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Paul D. Morgan (V22guy)
advanced member
Username: V22guy
Post Number: 1194
Registered: 02-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 10:15 am: |
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Thanks Ron. I had no idea they would cover a 'consumable' item. However, would LR honor the warranty with the Hella light and CB power wiring attached to the Pos terminal?
I did replace it with a higher output battery in November. The truck was dead in the Boeing parking lot and I got a power assist from one of the security vehicles. I then drove straight to Pep Boys and bought the Energizer. Funny thing is that my pos terminal cable was a bit loose and that was probably the culprit. Oh well, live and learn.
Is it still snowing up there? |
Milan (Milan)
Advanced member
Username: Milan
Post Number: 124
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 10:21 am: |
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Another vote for Exide Orbital Deep Cycle. |
Mark & Bev Preston (Markp)
Senior Member
Username: Markp
Post Number: 125
Registered: 02-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 10:28 am: |
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Tom - I've been leaning towards Exide Orbital also. For all - here's an article from Heartland Amateur Radio Association:
"Finally, An Emergency Station Battery We Can Live With?
Until I get my hands on one, I can't say for sure, but it looks as if the world of automotive engineering has developed a 12 volt battery that could solve many a ham's lead acid emergency back up battery problems. We all know the problems. Leaking electrolyte, smell during recharge, shelve life and long recharge times.
The folks at Exide Battery have come up with a new battery design that addresses these problems. Similar in appearance to the "Optima" battery produced in Colorado, the new Exide "Select Orbital" battery even shares the same case as the Optima design. The battery cells are arranged in a "six pack" layout and features rolled electrodes and electrolyte that is bound in a fiberglass medium separating the electrodes. The electrolyte is in a paste form, eliminating liquid "acid" sloshing around in the battery cell. Like the Optima, this is called a spiral design and it's advantages are many.
Racers have used the Optima for over a decade. Want to orient the battery upside down? No problem, the electrolyte won't leak out, even if the case is punctured. Need maximum current, again, superior results. The spiral design offers more plate surface area, which equals higher cold cranking amps. Plus the design affords higher vibration and impact resistance, canceling the problem of shorted cells. Reducing internal resistance also means better shelf life and recharge times in the area of only one hour. The result, a far better product than a conventional lead acid battery.
Of course some problems still exist as in the familiar lead acid type. Heat will still destroy it internally, but because of inherent design, the heat would have to be an externally applied phenomenon. Remember, the lower internal resistance would mean lower heat internally generated during maximum current discharge. Exide, through three new patents, has improved the Optima design." |
Brian Dickens (Bri)
advanced member
Username: Bri
Post Number: 176
Registered: 08-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 10:30 am: |
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Why would an optima not work well with an isolator?
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Milan (Milan)
Advanced member
Username: Milan
Post Number: 125
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 10:34 am: |
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And also one vote for Optima Yellow Top Deep Cycle Group 31 battery. Marine style posts, 900CCA and 125 min reserve capacity. Seems like Optima upped the ante. |
RJ Clayton (Tozovr)
Senior Member
Username: Tozovr
Post Number: 293
Registered: 09-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 12:47 pm: |
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The Exide Orbital is a great battery. They use similar technology (possibly licensed bfrom optima).
The Excide actually has a higher CCA rating than the Optima.
One other small point...never run your winch off the side terminals. |
Michael Noe (Noee)
Advanced member
Username: Noee
Post Number: 429
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 01:21 pm: |
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FWIW, right off of Optima's website FAQ:
quote:10. Can I use an isolator with an OPTIMA?
Yes, most any type of battery separator or solenoid can be used with an OPTIMA. The important thing to remember is that the charging voltage must be within the limits suggested by OPTIMA Batteries. If you are using an OPTIMA and a conventional battery, your system must charge each battery independently. Remember, some isolators cause a voltage drop, make sure your charging voltage AT THE BATTERY is sufficient. Continued undercharging of a battery will lead to premature failure and a drop in capacity.
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Eric N (Grnrvr)
advanced member
Username: Grnrvr
Post Number: 1222
Registered: 02-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 01:33 pm: |
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Hell, I just run my winch, lights, and truck off of my single Optima Red Top that I picked up at Pep Boys. |
Tom Rowe (Trowe)
New Member
Username: Trowe
Post Number: 4
Registered: 02-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 09:55 am: |
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Well..aparaently Optima's web site contridicts what Bill Burke's web site says Optima told him. Go figger.
Optima does make a good point about the terminal voltage however. Be very sure to use a large alternator-isolator-battery cable. If you want to be extra sure, you can use a Schottky diode isloator. These are more expensive, but have a lower voltage drop across the input and output terminals. |
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